INTRODUCTION
There are many categories and sub-categories dealing with weight and other areas for use in classification of an aircraft record. The reason for this is to provide information for a future database where comparisons can be made on these different fields of information. For example, it may be desirable to compare all aircraft that set records running on alcohol regardless of weight.
I. FLYING TYPE
This list already needs to be added to. What would you like to see?
FLYING TYPE CATEGORIES:
1. airplane
2. seaplane
3. amphibian
4. glider
5. helicopter
6. gyrocopter
7. paraplane
8. motorglider
9. paraglider
10. ultralight
11. microlight
II. PROPULSION
There are many ways to get an aircraft to move. We would like to see this list grow. (Cold fusion? Giant rubber bands?)
PROPULSION CATEGORIES:
1. piston
2. turboprop
3. jet
4. rocket
5. biological (human)
III. FUEL
We expect additions to the fuel list in the future. (Dilithium crystals?)
FUEL CATEGORIES:
1. gasoline
2. kerosene
3. alcohol
4. propane
5. electricity
********* WEIGHT CLASSES
Weight of Aircraft (IV & V)
Weight is a very important factor for aircraft. The philosophy behind the weight divisions is that a ten percent weight difference between two aircraft, at any given weight, is a significant difference. Each MAJOR weight class is double the previous weight class. Each MINOR weight class is slightly over ten percent (10.40895%) higher than the previous class. (The 10.40895% doubles the weight after seven increases). In addition, there is an undeclared MINOR weight option. For aircraft, weight is gross weight at take-off. (note: Although it is unlikely that a gross weight of pilot and aircraft of less than 6.25kg (13.78 pounds) is possible, it seems that whenever a classification is created, the lowest category always needs to be subdivided at a later time. For example, batteries are D,C,A,AA,AAAA. Also, these weight classifications may be used for empty weights or other purposes at some time in the future.)
IV. MAJOR WEIGHT CLASSES:
Each MAJOR WEIGHT category is double the previous category.
1. 0 to <6.25kg (0 to <13.8 pounds)
2. 6.25 to <12.5kg (13.8 to <27.6 pounds)
3. 12.5 to <25kg (27.6 to<55.1 pounds)
4. 25 to <50kg< (55.1 to <110 pounds),
5. 50 to <100kg (110 to<220 pounds)
6. 100 to <200kg (220 to <441 pounds)
7. 200 to <400kg(441 to <882 pounds)
8 400 to <800kg (882 to <1764 pounds)
9. 800 to <1600kg (1764 to <3527 pounds)
10. 1600 to <3200kg (3527 to<7055 pounds)
11. 3200 to <6400kg (7055 to <14109 pounds)
12. 6400 to<12800kg (14109 to <28219 pounds)
13. 12800 to <25600kg (28219 to<56438 pounds)
14. 25600 to <51200kg (56438 to <112876 pounds)
15. 51200 to <102400kg(112876 to <225751 pounds)
16. 102400 to <204800kg (225751 to <451502 pounds)
17. 204800 to <409600kg (451502 to <903004 pounds)
V. MINOR WEIGHT CATEGORIES:
Each MAJOR WEIGHT Category has 7 MINOR WEIGHT subdivisions. There is also an UNDECLARED option. The subdivisions are the lower limit of each MAJOR WEIGHT category plus:
1. 0.00% to <10.41%
2. 10.41% to <21.90%
3. 21.90% to <34.59%
4. 34.59% to <48.60%
5. 48.60% to <64.07%
6. 64.07% to <81.14%
7. 81.14% to <100.00%
U. undeclared subdivision weight
VI. Weight of Pilot and Crew
Generally, the lighter the aircraft, the more the pilot and crew weight will affect performance. Allowances for different weight pilots and crews is an option in all the MAJOR and MINOR weight categories. The categories are based on total weight of pilot and crew as a percentage of gross weight. The categories are in 10% increments of gross weight (10%, 20%, 30%, etc.). It is assumed that in heavier aircraft, pilot and crew weight is relatively insignificant. ( Possible exception: a 747 with 500 beefy co-pilots?)
PILOT AND CREW WEIGHT CATEGORIES:
Each MINOR weight subdivision is divided into ten pilot and crew weight categories. The categories are determined by the total pilot and crew weight as a percentage of the gross weight of the aircraft. In addition, there is an UNDECLARED option.
1. >0% to <10%
2. 10% to <20%
3. 20% to <30%
4. 30% to <40%
5. 40% to <50%
6. 50% to <60%
7. 60% to <70%
8. 70% to <80%
9. 80% to <90%
10. 90% to <100%
U. undeclared
VII RECORD AREAS
These are the present areas to set records in. This list will be expanded as new areas are proposed and adopted. Suggestions, as always, are welcome. We promote the traditional and conventional record areas as well as the non-traditional and unconventional record areas. Setting records to raise money for charitable organizations is greatly encouraged.
RECORD AREAS:
1. greatest circle distance without landing
2. biggest wingspan
3. distance in a closed circuit without landing
4. greatest wing area
5. altitude
6. altitude with a 10 kg payload
7. altitude with a 100 kg payload
8. altitude with a 1000 kg payload
9. altitude with a 2000 kg payload
10. altitude with a 5000 kg payload
11. altitude with a 10000 kg payload
12. altitude in horizontal flight
13. greatest load carried to an altitude of 1000 meters
14. greatest load carried to an altitude of 2000 meters
15. greatest load carried to an altitude of 5000 meters
16. speed over a 1 km course
17. speed over a 3 km course
18. speed over a 10 km course
19. time to climb to 1000 meters
20. time to climb to 3000 meters
21. time to climb to 5000 meters
22. time to climb to 10000 meters
23. speed around the world eastbound
24. speed around the world westbound
25. speed around the world flying over north and south pole
26. speed from equator to a pole
27. speed from equator to equator over a pole
28. city to city speed record
29. point to point within a city speed record
30. most humans in a type aircraft or weight class
31. most dogs in a type aircraft or weight class
32. smallest wing area
33. distance to a goal (glider)
34. out and return distance to a goal (glider)
35. altitude gained (glider)
36. to be determined (create your own!)
****** CODING OF RECORDS
The coding of the records is in the following manner:
Type:Propulsion:Fuel:Major Wt:Minor Wt:Pilot Wt:Record Area
Example: 1:1:3:8:4:3:12
airplane:piston:alcohol:400-800kg:554-594kg:20%-30%:altitude
The TYPE is an aircraft (1), piston engine PROPULSION(1), running on a FUEL OF alcohol (3), and it's gross weight with pilot and crew is in the MAJOR WEIGHT category (8) of weighing at least 400 kg but less than 800kg, and it's gross weight with pilot and crew is in the MINOR WEIGHT category (4) of weighing at least 554 kg (400kg +34.58% of 400 kg) but less than 594 kg (400kg + 48.60% of 400kg). The PILOT AND CREW WEIGHT (3) is at least 20% but less than 30% of the gross weight of the aircraft at takeoff (if gross weight was 560kg, then the pilot and crew weight would be between 112kg and 168kg.) The RECORD AREA that was set is number 12 which is altitude in horizontal flight.
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